Response to toxic chemtrails
Those chemtrails happen to be spreading two parts per million of aluminum oxide (aluminum magnetic strips) heavy metal toxicity into our atmosphere, all in the name of the GEO engineering, climate manipulation program, and it is being done all over the world since 1990.
Looking deeper, this is thought to have effects on the brain cells. (Alzheimer's etc.)
I sent a copy of this CD to Channel 2 and Channel 6 and also to our congressman and senator in Washington, D.C., last week.
I was given a copy of the CD but I am sure the local book stores can order one for you.
The CD is called "What in the world are they spraying and you won't like it."
I am not trying to scare or intimidate with this information, it is real and a threat to all of us and our children, living under this daily dose of highly reactive material.
Who do we complain to? Good question, as no one is taking responsibility for or even acknowledging that this is even being done.
Editor's note: An Internet search using the words "what in the world are they spraying" netted more than 55,000 results debunking this theory.
Be aware, America
If you still have doubts that (President) Obama is bringing us into a dictatorship, witness the fact that now he openly criticized and challenged our Supreme Court and speaks denigratingly of these nine fine people.
Obama is bringing us closer to a dictatorship.
Note all the controls and ideas he is initiating into schools all over the country. He is making a hard try to control the thoughts of our children.
When a country slips into liberalism, all individual control is given up.
Now Obama wants to rule and control the Supreme Court. Talk about nerve, he's got it!
Obama is working hard to gain a second term. That tragedy would finish off the U.S. as the most wonderful country in the world.
Be careful who you vote for. A vote for Obama is a vote into darkness for the people of the U.S.
He refuses to let us expand our own fields. He says it won't help. What is he, a swami or Chandu the magician?
He has no concept of what is needed to make this country work properly.
Killing small business will not do it. Over-controlling and retarding entrepreneurship won't do it.
If he would let the small people, the middle people and the big people breathe, we would be on the road to prosperity once again, but he continues to keep a stranglehold on the economy, effectively holding it down so he can bring us to our knees and into socialism and or dictatorship.
Stay awake, America. You have learned your lesson in these last three years.
Obama's forked tongue speeches will continue. Don't believe him. He uses Hitler tactics in telling the big lie.
The Treyvon Martin case
Racial tensions in America will not go away as long as we have government officials and religious figures fueling the flames.
Our president could silence a lot of the tensions concerning the Treyvon Martin case; however, it is not politically useful for him to do so at this time.
In fact, some believe he is fanning the flames of racial tension.
If the American public reach a fighting pitch over this particular case (as it seems possible right now), then the president can and might declare martial law.
Can you imagine that happening right before a presidential election? In that case, there might not be an election.
America, cool yourselves down and let the legal system work, not only for your benefit, but for the benefit of all Americans. We need to overcome the racial tensions and judge only on evidence.
It is deeply saddening to lose a child under any circumstances, but please don't let this become a racial war.
You can help stop the insanity of all this by speaking out about letting the legal system work.
None of us at this point in time know all the facts. Let's not judge before we know them.
The fault belongs to Congress
As I was growing up, I used to attend political rallies. I listened to the politicians of both parties, usually on the same stage, on the same day. Being young I was gullible to everything they said. They were going to change this and they were going to change that.
As I grew older, I saw the political stage remained the same. I never could understand why these politicians would say things they never could deliver on.
I took a class in leadership at the University of Hawaii. There was one thing that really stuck with me from that class.
Rule 1 in leadership: Do everything and anything to perpetuate your own leadership.
When a person runs for Congressional office, they always say "when I get to Washington, I am going to do this and do that."
Well folks, here is the truth. When they get to Congress, they can't do didley squat. Why, you may ask?
The simple answer is the whole congressional political system in locked up in seniority. That means that newly elected senator or representative can't do anything until he joins up with the "good ole boys" who control their respective houses. Then, it's you scratch my back, and I'll scratch your back.
So now this newly-elected individual wants to return to Congress. What does he have to do to perpetuate his leadership? He has to bring money back to his state in any form without any regard for the budget. His concern is his re-election.
Now imagine all the representatives and senators from all the states getting money for their particular states without regard for the budget.
These actions by our representatives create debt. Spending money that we don't have equals deficit spending.
Without any regard for the future, our representatives continue to spend money they don't have.
Now spending is out of control. The debt ceiling is now $16 trillion. Now efforts are being made to reduce the debt, a debt that our Congress created.
This problem was created by Congress because our representatives only cared about their career in politics. Such an irony.
Response to response to 'President's speech'
Hey buddy (or lady), you're a little late with your criticism. Bush has been out of office since early 2009. Which Bush? You remember ... the Republican who was reading a kid's book to 6-year-olds on the morning of 9/11 ... the one who lied about weapons of mass destruction and started that idiotic Iraq war that cost the lives of more than 4,000 young American servicemen and women and the limbs and dreams of another 20,000 more ... the one who cost American taxpayers about $2 trillion (though his billionaire buddies made a killing ... pun definitely intended) ... the one who relaxed government oversight of such money makers as insurance, real estate, pharmaceuticals, oil (a family favorite), etc.
Oh yes, the same Bush who followed $1 a gallon, no lead, balanced-budget Clinton, the Democrat.
Hey buddy, who ya gonna vote for in November? I didn't say "Hey Lady" because I know for whom the smart women will be voting.
Get ready for the most negative campaign ever
President Obama has choices to make this summer. He can debate the issues, conduct a positive campaign and run on his record, or he can completely ignore his record and try to demonize his opponent instead.
Personally, I don't think that the president can run on his record and failed presidency, so be prepared for the most negative campaign ever.
We are about to hear what a horrible person Mitt Romney is. His only hope for re-election is to convince you that Romney would be worse than he is.
Rather than debate the issues, the Left will attempt to discredit the opponent by ratcheting up the rhetoric. Liberals will shift into desperation overdrive in an attempt to demonize Romney.
Don't be surprised if you hear Romney described as a bigoted racist by Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. The president and his comrades would have voters believe that Romney is the most inept, corrupt person ever to seek the presidency.
Don't be fooled by the misdirection that they are attempting.
Remember that this 'slight of hand' is meant to confuse you. They hope it will change your focus from the failed policies of our current president to the myth that Romney would be even more incompetent.
Depending on which poll you read, Barack Obama can claim at least one success. He has succeeded in replacing Jimmy Carter as the worst president in history.
Get off President Obama's back
It is not OK for pastors to try to influence their congregations who to vote for.
This is a free country. There are Republicans and Democrats in all churches.
The president should be addressed as President Barack Obama. That is his title.
This president has been disrespected since he took office, and what I admire about him (is that) he stood tall in spite of all the name-calling.
He is not illiterate. For Christ's sake, he is a Harvard graduate and is very intelligent. That is why he is president.
He is the first president who gives speeches without reading from a bunch of written notes.
He did not invent contraception or abortion. This has been happening for decades.
When he had Bin Laden killed, no one gave him credit. Now we are blaming him about contraception. This is good for the country. (There are) too many unwanted babies and pre-marital sex.
The Republicans are doing an injustice to themselves. These have been the worse presidential debates ever seen. They should be focusing on jobs and telling the American people, if elected, what they would do for America, instead of bad-mouthing each other.
These guys do not have presidential qualities. They are acting like morons. What should we expect in the White House if they are elected? Do you watch these debates?
I am a Republican, or was a Republican. I will not vote for a Mormon religion, a billionaire who is buying the election, a womanizer or a racist.
America, think on these issues before you cast your votes.
Impolite at the store
I love your paper, and I also love the Rants & Raves section.
My rant today is that for a month, or so, I have been going through these convenience stores that the foreigners run or operate or own. It seems they are from Indian or Pakistan or those countries. I'm not sure.
Every time I go to these stores for gasoline, lottery tickets, etc., they are always on the phone talking in their own language.
There are people in line, but they don't seem to serve the customer first like the 7-11 company does, which is owned by Americans.
There, the people are polite and very efficient with no waiting and two, or more, cashiers.
At these other stores, they are very impolite. They need to learn some manners from the Americans, I guess. They are making money off us. They come to this country for a better life and are treating us Americans like not very good citizens. They are very fortunate to have the good jobs at the gas stations and convenience stores.
Black community commended
I am a 69-year-old white lady who lived through and close to the 1965 Watts (Los Angeles, Calif.) riots.
I think the black community should be commended on how it handled the Treyvon Martin case.
This was a obviously an attempt by the police department and mayor to sweep this heinous crime under the rug. We didn't hear from the police for more than a week.
While making their point that they were not going to let this crime go unpunished, there were no riots, no lootings and no burnings.
I guess I just want to say how proud I am of the black community and its leaders for the way they conducted themselves during this horrible part of our history.
To lose a child
My heart goes out to Trevon's (Martin's) parents. It's an awful thing to lose a child, but I think of all the white children that have been murdered by black men; but I have never seen such an outpouring of people for them. No protest marches, no TV coverage, no newspaper coverage, no racial remarks. No Jesse Jacksons, No Al Sharptons.
Does this mean that they aren't as important?
As I said, it is a sad thing to have a child killed, but please, let's not make it all one-sided.
Thank you for your picture of the WW II veterans
My other home-delivered newspaper (which I pay for) did not see fit to publish a picture of any of the many veterans marching or riding in the parade.
They did publish photos of the spectators, marching band and a man and his dog but forgot to include a photo of the real reason for the parade.
A Rave for you for your front-page photo. Thanks again.
From a state employee
This is in response to "Getting by in hard times" in a recent "Viewpoint" page.
The submitter of that item did not check facts.
The writer reported that state employees are guaranteed a 3 percent raise each year.
I am a state employee and have been for many years.
Fact is, Florida state employees are not permitted to participate in several state assistance programs simply because they are employed with the state.
We have had to compensate personnel cuts to extremes even in positions with increased demands due to increased populous needs
The Deferred Retirement Option Program ($3k upon retirement) would be only for a mega-salaried employees, not for the general worker. It is for money we have earned, not a grant program! We have had increases alright, the increases are in the deductions from our pay for various health insurances and also our retirement contributions, not in what we receive.
And state employees have not received any raise since 2006. None, period.
So before someone starts spouting that state employees get all the goodies without working for it, talk with a real employee and get real information.
Thank you for the 'rave'
I would like to thank the person who put in the rave about "Lost money given back."
That incident lifted my spirits this week even more than even what my preacher did with his sermon, which is always excellent.
Always, actions speak louder than words. In this case, that person giving back that $100 do very good in a world that sometimes doesn't seem so good.
Forget those signals. We read minds.
I just wanted to say that since I have been in Florida, I have never, ever seen a BMW, Lexus or Mercedes using its turn signals when changing lanes or turning. Never!
Most of them do the old "California roll" at red lights and stop signs, as well.
Are they exempt from letting the other drivers know what their intentions are? Or should we just give them a wide berth like we do the old people when they drive? They would probably like that.
"Stay out of my way, lesser human!"
No use honking at them or flashing your lights. They are in their own little world. Their windows are up, and they are on the phone.
They will never get pulled over by the police. If they do, someone in uniform will get their hand slapped when they get back to the cop shop.
Thanks for nothing.
The city, county, state and USA is going to the dogs
Recently, my husband and I were eating dinner at a restaurant in the Melbourne-Rockledge area when the manager came to the booth next to us and asked if the woman had a dog with her.
Evidently, someone had complained.
The woman said that she did, and she asked for a cup of water for her dog.
She had the dog in a carrying case.
They stayed, and we left.
Then at a later date, we were shopping at a store on S.R. 192 and my husband stepped in some dog "doo."
We complained to a man working in the paint department, then cleaned my husband's shoes.
Shortly after this, we saw a man and a woman with a medium-size dog in a shopping cart.
In March, we were shopping at a neighborhood supermarket when we saw a dog in a shopping cart.
I asked the manager if this was store policy, and he said that the government has given everyone the right for the dog owners to take their dogs anywhere.
Then this week, I was shopping at an upscale department store in the mall. When I exited one of their fitting rooms, I almost fell over a dog that was on a leash. What is going on?
Dogs are dogs, not humans. If you can't shop without your dogs, stay home.
I like dogs, but not everywhere I go.
Why kill the dog?
I am writing in response to the comment about the dog that was put down because he bit a neighbor's child while he was chained up in his yard.
The question posed by the writer was this: Why kill the dog but not charge the mother with child neglect?
Sadly, there are two victims in this scenario that happens unfortunately much too often - the child and the dog. Both depend on the adults to keep them safe.
What does that mean for the dog's owners? It is a well-established fact that chained dogs are more prone to bite. Dogs are left with only two options whenever they find themselves in a situation that makes them uncomfortable - fight or flight.
While most dogs will choose to flee when put into this situation, the very fact that the animal is constrained limits his choice.
That is why organizations like the ASPCA have fought for years to outlaw the chaining of dogs in the yard.
Besides being mind-numbing for the dog, it is unsafe for all concerned.
As far as the responsibility of the parent of the child: Unfortunately, we do not seem to teach our children the right things about animals in general and dogs in specific.
The movie industry has created an image of dogs being cuddly little humans with fur. This perception is unfair to the dogs and dangerous to children.
The third week in May is Dog Bite Prevention Week. Anyone, especially with children, please check out some useful information on web sites like www.doggonesafe.com.
It may save your child's and your dog's life.
The high cost of booze
I think it is ironic how people complain so much about the high cost of a gallon of gasoline, and you never hear about the high cost of a gallon of booze.
I recently noted that a 12-pack of beer (a little over a gallon) is between $10-$15 (depending on the brand).
A cheap bottle of wine is about $8 (depending on the brand). That figures out to about $20-$30 a gallon - minimum! Those are just retail prices.
In a restaurant or a bar, a bottle of beer (12 ounces)is $3-$4. That figures out to about $40 a gallon! A glass of wine (6 oounces) is between $5-$6 - again depending on the brand. That figures out to about $120 a gallon. Not to mention hard liquor, which amounts to about $300 a gallon!
I have never heard anyone complain about the high cost of booze. Hmmm, I wonder why that is?
Apparently we are more concerned about the price of what goes into our "tank" than we are about what goes into our "belly."
What is it you don't understand?
So, the last two weeks we've had an article on the blatant abuse of dogs on the beach in clear violation of written law, followed by a retort of one who associates recognition of this abuse as akin to "owning a piece of the beach."
What exactly is it that you don't understand, writer No. 2, about the existing law, posted at every public beach entrance - "No Dogs Allowed on the Beach?"
It has nothing to do with your opinion or someone else's. It is the law, pure and simple.
This reminds me of the illegal immigration law being widely abused in Arizona.
The state wants to enforce the law as it has cost them more than $2 billion a year to take care of the illegal immigrants; yet the feds and Obama are stopping them, even suing them, because they want the votes of these welfare immigrants.
One common and sickening theme to these liberals is their attacks on the ones who remind others of the laws on the books.
Follow the laws, people, and keep the dogs off the beaches.
A reply to 'Speech of speeches'
I agree with his statement that "I truly wish that we had such a great man as our president."
If all of our American politicians, starting with our president, were as dedicated to American interests as Mr. Netanyahu is dedicated to Israel's interests, this country would be much better off, because we would not be spending tens of billions of dollars each year supporting Israel's war of aggression, health system, etc.
I have no objection to individuals contributing to Israel. I just object to our government increasing our national debt to support a foreign country, while threatening to cut Social Security , Medicare and Medicaid.
Our politicians should be insisting that Israel comply with all of the United Nation's mandates or suffer total economic isolation.
Also, why is there no mention of Israel's nuclear missiles, and how they got them?
George Washington said that we should avoid foreign entanglements.
If this country followed his advice, we would not be in debt.
I suggest that your readers refer to wwwifamericansknew.org for accurate current and historical information.
Response to slamming
A nice thing about being a grumpy old person, one of many groups the author continually offends, is that I can remember the era of Jimmy Carter, which we seem to be reliving.
The price of gas was high then, if you could even get it.
The author claims that "Last year, the No. 1 export was oil." Actually, the No. 1 export was refined petroleum products like gasoline, diesel and pharmaceuticals, which is a tribute of our refining industry.
And, of course, the author never passes up the opportunity to blame Bush by saying prices were highest under his administration in 2008.
We can blame a multitude of people for the mess our country is in, including our current president, but blame cannot fix the problems.
Being older, I also remember the days of free speech.
The author usually criticizes the only alternative to the liberal media and makes an attempt at wit by calling it "Faux News."
But wasn't it ABC that distorted the video and audio clips in the Zimmerman case to fit their white racist narrative?
When the facts came out that he was Hispanic with black relatives, Jewish and Lord have mercy, a Democrat to boot, the story quickly left the front page.
Fortunately, we are still free to choose our sources for news. and it is refreshing not having to choose ABC, CBN, NBC, MSNBC, or CNN.
These outlets would call an Obama luncheon with convicted felons a fundraiser.
Particularly amusing was the statement that Obama, "created or passed more than 175 acts." I thought Congress created and passed acts and the President signed them.
I don't know where the number 175 came from. Maybe from the same place that said he created and saved jobs.
Even if that number is correct, most were passed against the will of the people.
I suggest that the author focus on just one issue and provide a coherent solution.
Might I suggest the financial collapse of Medicare, articulating the president's plan to save Medicare, which will be insolvent in five years now that the president has taken $500 billion from it for Obamacare, will be interesting reading.
No help when I complain
I know this will never be published. I had been attacked by a man almost one-third my age. He was convicted of aggravated assault and display of a firearm or weapon.
I also have gotten an injunction against the threat of repeat violence (restraining order) against him.
This person is still stalking me. I have him on video stalking me. He also likes to take hammers to my vehicles every three weeks or so.
This has been going on for 10 years in Brevard County.
I abandoned my home because of this and I have had my $20,000 boat destroyed by these people, five outboard motors stolen and a list of bad things too long to write here.
I live in an unincorporated part of the county.
I have submitted the video to the authorities. Their response was to send an officer to my house and tell me "Even if you catch them on video doing something to you, your family or your property, we are going to do nothing."
I also have been pulled over for "traffic stops" too many times to count.
They always seem to occur when I call that I have been threatened again or someone took a hammer to one of my vehicles again.
I seriously doubt this will be published because it exposes the true way honest people are not protected in Florida.
Actually the opposite. You are as likely to be threatened for calling for help.
I believe because of this people join citizen watch groups and tragedies like the killing of Trayvon Martin happen.
This is just an opinion of a family man stalked by habitual criminals and protected by the authorities, giving them the right to do whatever they want to me and my family and my property.
I think I would literally have a heart attack if this ever gets published.
Editor's note: Please do not have a heart attack. Thank you.
It's OK to disagree
How refreshing to see a letter from the point of view of an intelligent person willing to do the research to check facts and refute the usually crazy-sounding ranting of the extreme right who get their 'news' and 'facts' from incorrect scare tactic emails that prevail online these days.
It's OK to disagree with something, only if you have researched the facts first.
What's the use in hating if you don't even know what it is you hate? Hate is useless anyway. It just uses up your psychic energy to do something more productive.
Changing my daily paper
Just read the rant from a person who only wants a hard copy printed of the daily newspaper in Brevard, that has sunk to such a low level of news it wasn't worth the jump in price.
Like the writer, I want to read my paper, not go electronically; and the jump in price had me inquire of the (Orlando) Sentinel. When hearing it was literally one-third the price, I started that subscription. True, I won't see much in the way of local doings and politics; but, boy, what great world and national news coverage for so much less cost.
Try it if paper is what you prefer, and that might wake up the publishers to stop pushing and charging for electronic news.
In the meantime, maybe Hometown News will work at covering more local doings in our community.
Editor's note: We're always looking for stories on local happenings. If you know of an event that should be covered, please email information to brevnews@hometownnewsol.com. Thank you.
Rescind support for naming barrier island
I totally agree with rescinding support for naming the barrier island Ponce De Leon Barrier Island.
We live on the Space Coast! Why would any group entertain the idea of trying to name the barrier island to honor Ponce De Leon? Just staking the dubious and vague (possible vicinity?) historic marker in the ground doesn't make it fact.
What is fact are the historic space missions that have taken place in this area - well-documented and witnessed by everyone who resides on the barrier island.
Should we be so quick to forget the sacrifices and lives lost to accomplish all of these glorious missions? Not to mention there are more than 42 space-named landmarks in our area - (schools, parks and roads) named for our astronauts or space mission ... and, aren't we still in hopes of continuing space exploration from this area?
There are also more than 100 places of business locally with "Space Coast" in their name. Our weather channels, tourist boards and Wikipedia searches all designate our area as "The Space Coast."
There is no need to layer an extra name onto the barrier island - which would only entail new signage and marketing campaigns ($$) to try to build up credibility to their claim.
Any "naming" of such a large geographic area should be put to a vote for the homeowners and taxpayers who reside in that area - not left to a civil rights group that resides on the mainland.
Perhaps the residents of Palm Bay would like to vote to rename their city Ponce De Leon Village?
The area drivers are getting worse
Is it just me, or are the area drivers getting worse? By that I mean is their courtesy toward their fellow drivers becoming something they no longer extend?
This is very apparent in their total lack of the use of turn signals in all situations - things like changing lanes directly in front of you with as many as three lanes involved, with not so much as a clue they are going to do it.
This often takes place as a last-minute decision (at least that's what it looks like), sometimes creating the need to slam on your brakes to avoid hitting them.
Another habit that these same type drivers have is at an intersection, where the driver may or not be in a turn lane and give no indication by way of turn signals that they are tuning. Now, granted, if they are in a specific turn lane, they should turn that direction. The truth is they sometimes don't, and that can create problems for other drivers either in front of or in back of them.
A problem that comes up in this situation many times is while at an intersection where the driver coming toward you could either go straight ahead or turn toward you and you want to turn left, you have no idea what he intends to do, because he has no turn signal on.
The logical assumption is that he's going straight, because of no signal, but nine times out of 10 he turns, creating a hazard if you assume he's going straight and go ahead. At that point, you're both heading toward each other.
These situations don't have to exist if drivers would just do the right thing and use their signals.
Of course, the opposite problems exists as well, where signals are used and no turn related to the direction they indicate occurs.
So fellow drivers, please do everyone a favor and use the signals. After all, that's what they're for. They were created to replace arm signals and I know you won't use them.
Other worthy animal organizations in the county
Once again, I open Hometown News to find two lengthy articles about the Central Brevard Humane Society.
Hometown News is a paper that is read by many in Brevard County, but you would think that there are no other animal groups in this county. What is your relationship with them, and why are they always in the paper?
There are numerous animal rescue groups, focusing on many dog and cat breeds, and feral cat groups. Many of these groups pull animals from the high-kill county facilities on Eau Gallie or Flake Road.
Much time, work and money goes into caring for these pets that were dumped in the shelter. Money is usually obtained from fundraising efforts to pay expenses, sometimes thousands of dollars for surgery or rehab for a particular animal.
These compassionate people do it out of their love for the those creatures who were put into their situation by uncaring past owners. Often times money comes from their own pockets in order to help.
Additionally, there is SPCA in Titusville. They currently are attempting to raise thousands of dollars for surgery for two dogs that were hit by cars, and certainly would have been euthanized if they had not taken them. They, too, are a nonprofit and depend on the kindness of the community to support them, their facility and their thrift stores in Titusville and Merritt Island. Why do we see no detailed articles about them and their good work?
Florida Wildlife Hospital in Palm Shores had 600 patients that they took in this past month. We cannot remember the last time that this group, that rescues native Florida wildlife, was featured in your paper. Once again, they depend on the generosity of the community to fund their facility.
A local vet clinic, Cocoa Village Animal Wellness Center, is starting their Earth Angel Project. These monies will be used to provide medical care to homeless, abandoned animals, and pets of low income families. They are starting their fund raising next month, but no mention of them either. It is our understanding that they did submit info to your publication.
We heard that United Humanitarians Clinic in Cocoa recently got a facelift from an Eagle Scout project. Was that kind work noted in your pages? This is another facility that assists particularly low income residents and their pets with spay/neuter and wellness services. A small hard working group is responsible for the numerous good things that they accomplish on a daily basis. It would be nice to have a comprehensive article about their charitable works.
And certainly there are groups that we have not mentioned. Each and every one of them is trying hard to do the best job possible for their patients, but we only read about the Central Brevard Humane Society.
Reading Hometown News is a great way to keep up to date with events and happenings in the community; but, please, start featuring some other groups for us animal lovers out here.
Editor's note: It could be that the Central Brevard Humane Society is a "squeakier wheel" than the other organizations you mentioned. We try to follow up on all information sent to us, but someone has to alert us. Organizations and individuals can contact us by sending press releases to: brevnews@hometownnewsol.com; Hometown News, Attn: News clerk, 321 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne FL 32935; or faxing to (321) 242-1281 (again, Attn: News clerk). Please follow up with a phone call to News clerk Mike Hibbard at (321) 242-1013 to make sure your release arrived.
Antique auto show in Melbourne
A couple of weeks ago in Melbourne there was an antique auto show with 291 autos being displayed on Airport Boulevard.
These autos belonged to individuals who restored them and brought them to Melbourne for the show.
The show of antique autos was sponsored by the Antique Auto Club of Cape Canaveral, which is a chapter of the national Antique Automobile Club of America, which is headquartered in Hershey, Penn.
This was a national meet, open to the public, at no charge, to the viewing.
In fact, I have never known of an antique auto show ever charging an admission fee.
These autos and my memory goes back well over 50 years. The only money involved is the fee to the person showing the cars, as well as the thousands that are spent to restore these cars and the cost of presenting their cars in Melbourne.
The show mentioned above was attended by people from all states.
There was one outstanding car from California. It was a Hisoino-Suiza, owned by and restored by Don Nicoles, a former resident of Merritt Island now living in California. Mr. Nicoles was one of the first to join the local club, which was founded in 1964.
If you attended the show of these cars, I am sure you enjoyed the whole day.
It's the cooking shows
No wonder half of the American public are either grossly overweight or obese.
With all these ridiculous cooking shows that somehow make it on the airwaves network and off-network shows, we are destined to be a heart attack-laden country.
More on 'smart meters'
Thanks to the Brevard County Commissioners for passing a resolution for the Florida Public Utilities Commission to have an open meeting regarding the installation of "smart meters" by the Next Era Energy Company.
The meters are not safe. It is unproven technology. You can opt out of this program being offered by your utility company.
Additional information about "smart meters" are on computers, both pro and con.
Walking against the light
I noticed people walking through the "Do Not Walk" sign on Babcock on Palm Bay Road and Babcock on University.
The traffic has to wait for the people walking against the light where it says "Do Not Walk."
I understand that those signs cost $5,000 each to build, to install and maintain, and there happens to be four, one at each corner.
Do the math. Why put up a sign that people don't read or observe? They don't care if traffic has to close down.
Move forward from the bonds of fear
This is in response to the intelligent, well-put rebuttal to the letter entitled "Liberals have their ears and brains blocked by Satan."
I couldn't agree more with the rebuttal, and it's unfortunate that a majority of the people go the easy route by sticking their heads in the sands of religion to explain everything instead of thinking.
And now they want to force it into our public schools instead of letting children think, dream, experiment, learn, explore and move forward from the bonds of fear and retribution.
Why is it that most people must attribute everything to a pair of non-existent characters invented long ago by an ancient, fear-driven populace?
'Not a government issue'
For the past week we have heard all the buzz about the presidential candidates views on gay marriage.
Frankly, I was disappointed in both candidates' comments.
I would rather they would have said, "this is not a government issue."
I feel the same way about abortion.
Minimally-informed, yet opinionated, persons
Your masthead bravely says "Statements of fact will be checked for accuracy," but I have despaired that this might ever be true since many of your rants blatantly state 'facts' that are patently false or merely recycled opinions from the right.
Finally in May, several readers "observations" and "responses" set "the facts straight."
Misinformation spreads like a brush fire in dry tinder and it is more difficult to undo its damage after the fact.
Besides, Brevard has a large population of minimally-informed, yet opinionated, persons who are happy to spread the fear, anger, hate and blame-placing rather than seek the truth, which is never all the way on either side.
In this age of lightning-fast media, we should all take pronouncements with a grain of salt, keep an open mind and give those we disagree with the benefit of a doubt.
Thank you for printing a few thinking responses amid the mindless rants.
Home Depot replaces rose bushes plucked from library garden
Volunteers with Home Depot, the company whose motto is "You can do it, we can help," have offered to replace a memorial rose garden at Palm Bay Public Library that was put in place by the library's staff to honor lost loved ones and then stolen.
In April, the library staff funded and planted nearly two dozen rose bushes as part of a team-building exercise meant to improve the grounds of the library on Port Malabar Boulevard.
But two days after the roses were planted, the library staff found holes in the ground where more than a dozen rose bushes had been planted. Only three bushes remained.
A police report was made, but there have been no arrests.
Thank you, Home Depot.
Researching the barrier island and Ponce de Leon
The naming of our barrier island has prompted me to do some research.
Historical accounts are inconclusive regarding where all locations Juan Ponce de Leon actually landed.
Most agree that St. Augustine and Charlotte Harbor are certain, but our barrier island is at question.
A common thread is that Juan was looking for gold and new land to claim for Spain. The "fountain of youth" was attributed to his explorations after his death in Cuba in 1521. In fact, the "fountain of youth" at that time in history was believed to be located on Bimini.
During Juan's explorations, and even while he was governing Puerto Rico, it has been documented that Juan imposed slavery, traded slaves, pillaged the locals, massacred dissidents, was ruthless and self serving.
He had several encounters with Native Americans on both the east coast and west coast of Florida.
Supposedly, due to his extreme brutality to Native Americans, he was removed from office in 1511.
He then made two more unauthorized voyages to Florida - the last in July 1521, where he was pierced by a poisoned arrow and sailed to Cuba where he died.
Now we are voting to name our barrier island after this explorer and governor who was removed from office by Spain?
From a humanitarian standpoint, Juan is in the same category as Adolph Hitler, Francisco Franco, Joseph Stalin, Mussolini, Muamar el-Gadhafi, Kim Il-Sung, Fidel Castro, Saddam Hussein, Tito and Mao Tse-tung.
Brevard County residents: It is time to become proactive.
Email all the county commissioners to express your opinion.
Brevard County residents, Beware!
Once again the Brevard County Commission is ready to enter "squander mode."
All Brevard County residents will be victims of wasteful spending on a feasibility study for a "Let's Make Merritt Island a City scheme."
If these self-serving, power-hungry, big-government lovers get their way, Merritt Island will become "Fantasy Island."
Who supports same-sex marriage?
I was reading your newspaper in the Viewpoint page in Rants & Raves.
Somebody had an article there.
I think things have changed, so I think even though a person wrote this, I think your newspaper should say something about same-sex marriage.
According to this article, it is though the Republican party would agree with same-sex marriage, and now its come out that the president of the United States reportedly said he feels that there should be same-sex marriage.
So, I thought that that would be something that your paper might say instead of a person saying this in an article.
I was surprised to read that. I thought that that wasn't the right information, as of now.
Scare tactics on TV
I'm an elder on Medicare and have been watching all these scare tactics on the ads that are totally untrue.
I would hope that we are smart enough to know what we have got going for us and not to be scared by tactics that are untrue and false and actually just put out there just to destroy any faith and hope we have in the wonderful time that we have in our golden years.
So, we've got a president who cares about us. I hope that we would not be personally swayed by somebody that is just out there to be a political idol or someone who just wants power and so forth.
Don't be afraid to look at these ads and say, "What a bunch of rubbish."
Talk to your neighbors
This is to the next door neighbor in Palm Bay.
My daughter and her son have puppies.
I guess the dogs were used to doing their thing outdoors in what was once an empty lot. Now there is a house on the lot.
I guess dogs still do their thing in the next door neighbor's yard.
Instead of just putting up a sign facing our house, why not ask my beautiful daughter to please be sure her dogs don't do their thing in your yard?
Get off the president's back and rant about nudity
I love this paper. The article (Rant) I am referencing is "Getting off President Obama's back."
Yes, this is a free country. And, no, there shouldn't be any cursing, etc.
What I object to was the name of Christ to be in there. There was no reason for that.
Pastors have always tried to influence the congregation and lead the people to the right way, and it used to work.
Let's remember this.
And I still haven't seen Obama's birth certificate.
Keep up the good work, and maybe we can really get some strong rants about the nudity place.
Isn't it Canadian-owned? And we don't need it in Cocoa Beach no more than we needed the change in the downtown Cocoa Beach area.
Don't vote
Our next presidential election is approaching fast, and without any candidate who seems to have the qualities we need to run the United States of America, I suggest that every voting American refuse to vote on a presidential candidate for the election.
I know that that may cause a revolution, and that might be just be what we need to get this country back in order.
But, I say, "Don't vote!" Mickey Mouse would make a better president than anybody that is running, intends to run or has made it known that they are willing to run.
Don't vote.
Failing FCAT
This is regards to the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores that came out.
Apparently, a great number of our children are not passing it, and Florida's solution now is to lower the standards.
Here is a solution. The FCAT should be pass-fail. Teach the children, and don't put the pressure on the teachers and the children to pass this scam test.
Faulty system?
What is wrong with the legal system down here? My neighbor was convicted of 64 counts against him, and he is still free running the streets.
These charges happened in December 2011. He has been to court in Cocoa at least four times, including May 16 And he is still free.
He is a thief and a drug addict, and I live in fear of him.
Scared in Crime Bay
Feasibility Study
It appears that the Hometown News was not able to be at the recent County Commission meeting where the commissioners put off funding a study on the feasibility of making Merritt Island a town. In fact, you implied that it was a done deal.
Had you attended the meeting, you would have reported that several groups of homeowners brought petitions against incorporation and objected to the $40,000 estimated price tag (In fact our neighborhood was able to get more than 100 signatures against it in less than 48 hours!).
And, no mention was made that several homeowners spoke against the proposal because of the added layer of bureaucracy and the expense.
Nor was mention made that when several of the homeowners asked our North Merritt Island Homeowners Association (Association) when the Association would discuss the idea of having a town feasibility study.
The Association said that the discussion would take place in June, after the decision would have already been made!
And, when several of the homeowners called Commissioner Nelson, he neglected to tell them about the scheduled Tuesday meeting.
Instead, the reporter at the Hometown News interviewed Commissioner Nelson, who will be term-limited as a county commissioner, and who needs a job.
In fact, it is reported, he brought up the idea of forming a town and having him as our mayor at an executive board meeting of our The North Merritt Island Homeowners Association! Needless to say, he was very much in favor of having a town feasibility study.
Usually the Hometown News does a good job of reporting the pros and cons of issues that affect the citizens of Brevard County.
This time it fell down on the job.
No allegiance
I'm a registered Independent voter and always will be.
I owe no allegiance to anyone or any political party.
I have never voted for or against any specific political party, until now.
Currently running on all local television channels is a flood of pure hate, pure filth, pure trash and absolutely disgusting political ads.
These ads leave such a disgusting taste in your mouth it makes you want to vomit. Nothing positive; nothing about creating jobs; nothing about providing better health care; nothing to look forward to. Just millions of dollars spent on pure filth.
How many jobs could that money have created? How many sick children could have been healed? We'll never know because that money was spent spewing filth.
One thing positive has resulted from these ads. I will never even consider voting for anyone or anything sponsored by the Republican Party. That can only be a good thing.
Because of these ads, I no longer watch (free?) local television channels.
All those commercials inviting me to purchase their products, go un-purchased. If this sounds like a lousy business plan, it is.
So I say, whoever is throwing their money down the commode paying for these trash ads, please keep doing so. It's made my voting decisions much, much easier.
Against the liberal press
The liberal press has characterized the political paths in the current economic debate as "austerity" (conservatives/Republicans) versus "growth"(liberals/ Democrats).
Now, if the choice was that simple, what moron would take austerity over growth? Of course, it is not that simple and both options have drastic consequences.
However, the most drastic consequence for those of us on a fixed income is the growth path since it requires additional federal borrowing and taxes to fund the "growth" and, in turn, inflation. Whether we will return to inflation rates of 15 percent and higher that we experienced in the 70s is anyone's guess.
However, if you're voting for (President Barack) Obama and you're retired, you better begin to educate yourself on the potential consequences of the Democrats "growth" strategy. Also, one should remember Lenin's famous quote:" There is no subtler, surer means of overturning the existing basis of society than to debauch its currency."
"President's speech" reply
I would like to respond to the person who responded to "President's Speech." When you opine, you are saying what you believe. It is not fact. It is always slanted to your perception.
Did (President) George Bush lie to us on weapons of mass destruction? I don't think so. Why don't I think so?
His decision was based on input from the intelligence agencies of Australia, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Each of these countries stated that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. (Fact)
It was bad information which caused President Bush to make a bad decision. Fault him for a bad decision, but don't say he lied. If you say he lied then you're lying.
As for as the $1 a gallon of gas and balancing the budget goes - when Bush took office, gas was $1.38. When he left office, it was $1.86 a gallon. What is it now? $3.60 a gallon. The 1994 budget was accomplished as a result of Newt Gingrich's efforts, not (President Bill) Clinton. He only signed the bill.
Gingrich also reformed welfare. These are all facts. Give credit where credit is due.
Here is another fact - President Clinton signed the Banking Act of 1999 which is the root cause of the decay/collapse of the housing market and our economy.
Do you know Barack Obama?
Read his autobiography - "Dreams from my Father." The title is rather confusing in that he never knew his father (or was Barack senior really his father? That remains a question only a DNA test could reveal his true identity. Was she really married to Barack senior? He was already married in Kenya with two children).
The month following his birth, he and his mother left for Washington state where she remained for two years. Upon their return, she divorced Obama senior.
Two years later she married Soetoro and moved to Indonesia. He states in his book that he was a cocaine sniffer, marijuana smoker, a boozer and a person surrounded by socialists, communists and Marxists.
He refers to a person named Frank. Frank Marshall Davis was a very close friend of the family. Could he be the father who dreams Barack Obama wrote about in his autobiography?
Through many of his passages, he indicates his dislike for whites. These facts about his associations have influenced his motives and decisions.
Who am I voting for? Anyone but.
Police question
I have a question for our city and police department.
I live on Dorchester Road here in Palm Bay.
From the hours of 6 p.m. till 10 p.m., we have a problem with speeders.
The more I complain the less we get done. I have been promised that a police officer would monitor the street and, not once have I seen it.
If the city is hurting so badly for money and people are leaving the city, why do we not get cooperation?
A speeding ticket is at least $75 our city gets, never mind a ticket for 10-plus miles above the speed limit.
Depending on the speed, it is 30 mph and they average well over that.
Walking in our grass is not safe, nevermind walking down the street. When we call the police the excuse is "did you get a plate number?"
At 50 miles an hour? Watching our kids be kids? No, I did not get one. How could I ? The car is moving too fast.
I can tell you I know where they go because they fly down the street and come back ten minutes later.
Drugs. It would be another lock up and more money for our city.
People who do not deal with the drug scene are leaving why because it seems people who run our city do not care.
This is a perfect place to live if you do drugs.
It used to be really nice living here. Now, for three years at least, it stinks.
No support of any kind.
We cannot keep letting drug dealers and buyers run or streets. Something needs to get done here before someone loses their kid or loved one.
I was walking in my yard at 6 p.m. last night after talking to my neighbor and a blue car goes into the yard at least a foot and is inches away from hitting me.
My neighbor, who I was walking away from, got his arm hit because he went to throw them up.
Ten minutes later, the guy comes flying by. Yes, I stepped in front of his car. At least that way there was a reason for him to hit me. Then he threatens to come back with a gun.
Who tried to hit whom?
Our cops do not do anything and neither does our city.
Speed bumps, tickets being given out... something so we can feel safe to let our kids run in our yards or down the street (physical fitness is not a bad thing. My son runs every day so he can pass a physical training test).
I get DCF called on me because I make my son run and be active (laughing matter that was).
I call the cops for support and get laughed at again.
Please someone help because I am ready to make speed bumps to protect my community since no one else cares.
Greed
Greed for money and power has taken over capitalism and government in the United States.
How do we get it back?
If you don't like it...
Thank you Hometown News for giving us a place to spout off.
This is for someone who wrote in about the convenience stores and the rude owners and sometimes foreign ones.
Stop shopping there. I think most convenience stores are unclean and I buy my things at the grocery store where it's not as expensive.
It's like watching something on TV. If you don't like it, change the channel.
Domestic violence
Guilty or not guilty, that's what you have to ask yourself if you know someone who is in a domestic violence situation and you had the means to help them and you didn't.
I know someone who is in a domestic violence situation and that poor girl has married into a family that has money and the, family says that they cant help them.
They can help them and pay for the lawyers for her and her husband so they don't have to be in the situation anymore.
So that they don't have to settle it with police officers.
If you know someone who is in a domestic violence situation, ask yourself if you're guilty or not guilty of helping or not helping.
No need for Merritt Island incorporation
Who really needs more government? My family and I have lived in Merritt Island for 33 years and we have never had a complaint with what we have received.
It is my opinion that the last thing we need is more government and control over our lives.
The examples set by the governments in the neighboring cities should be a warning that the peace and tranquility that we have enjoyed here is in grave danger.
I would be interested to know who would profit most for incorporation of Merritt Island. I don't think it would be the residents.
Approach with caution
Discussion in Melbourne Beach about replacing the local police department with the Sheriff's Office should be approached with caution.
This is not strictly a cost issue but a safety issue. Granted, the expense of maintaining a force this size in a town of only 3,100 and 1 square mile is high, but has anyone done a serious study of the trade-offs?
The entire police department's budget, real estate cost, administrative support, salaries, fleet maintenance, etc., should be compared to what the cost of the Sheriff's coverage of this area would be.
Also, what about the income from the speeding tickets that is collected by the local police force?
Would revenue collected by the Sheriff's Office in our town stay locally and would the monitoring be as intense as it is now? Once a solid cost analysis is complete, then the safety issue can be discussed and the citizens can decide for themselves if they think it is worth it.
I would also think input from citizens outside of Melbourne Beach town limits like the south beaches would be solicited to understand the issues in not having local coverage. Until all the facts are collected, it's premature to bring this before the commissioners.
Attack ads
Attack Ads are here, and I am concerned that people will vote according for whom writes the most vicious attack ad.
I personally will be voting for my choice, depending on that person's record of accomplishments, not the nasty things another politician says about him/her.
Too bad we have developed such a negative way to elect public officials.
Attack ads from the White House are especially upsetting, as they show the dark side of our nation's leader. How sad to have to resort to such tactics to win re-election. If you can't stand on your previous record, maybe you shouldn't be running?
Ask yourselves: who would you rather have as president? A guy who can write vicious (sometimes untruthful) attack ads, or someone who has actual experience in business, etc. and can lead this country back to our real America?